Sarkozy offers to hold referendum on greater autonomy

President Nicolas Sarkozy has offered to hold a referendum on greater autonomy for the island of Martinique, one of France's Caribbean territories plagued by unrest earlier this year over commodity shortages and the rising cost of living.

AFP - President Nicolas Sarkozy offered Friday to hold a referendum on autonomy for the island of Martinique, one of France's Caribbean territories gripped by unrest early this year.

"I came here to announce clearly that I intend to consult the people of Martinique on the institutional evolution of their territory," Sarkozy said in a speech in the island capital Fort de France.

"The people of Martinique are free choose in their heart and conscience which road they wish to take," he said, although adding that "the debate is not about independence... it is about setting the right level of autonomy."